Touch screen having fingerprint recognition function and display device having the same

ABSTRACT

A touch screen including a substrate that includes an active area and a non-active area adjacent to the active area, the active area including at least one fingerprint recognition area; touch sensing electrodes including first sensing electrodes arranged in the active area, and at least one second sensing electrode arranged in the fingerprint recognition area, the second sensing electrode configured for sensing a touch and recognizing a fingerprint; and a pad portion provided with a plurality of pads which are electrically connected to respective sensing electrodes, wherein the at least one second sensing electrode includes: a plurality of sub electrodes extending in a direction inclined with respect to an edge portion of the active area; and a plurality of fingerprint recognition lines connecting the sub electrodes to the pad portion, and the fingerprint recognition lines arranged in a same fingerprint recognition area extend in a same direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/463,874 filed on Mar. 20, 2017, which claims priority under35 USC § 119 to Korean patent application number 10-2016-0043725 filedon Apr. 8, 2016, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated hereinin their entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND Field of Invention

The present disclosure relates generally to flat panel displays, andmore specifically to a touch screen and a display device having thesame.

Description of Related Art

A display device that includes a touch screen has been the subject ofrecent development efforts. The touch screen is a type of informationinput device. A user may press or touch a touch sensor in the touchscreen to input information, while viewing an image being realized onthe display panel.

Some recent development efforts have focused on touch screens thatinclude a fingerprint recognition sensor. The touch screen that includesthe fingerprint recognition sensor is being developed with a touchsensing area and a separate fingerprint recognition area that aredifferent from each other. Therefore, an area of the touch sensing areaon the touch screen may be reduced.

SUMMARY

A purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a touch screen havinga fingerprint recognition function.

Another purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a display deviceprovided with the touch screen.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provideda touch screen including a substrate that includes an active area and anon-active area arranged to be adjacent to the active area, the activearea including at least one fingerprint recognition area; touch sensingelectrodes including first sensing electrodes arranged in the activearea and at least one second sensing electrode arranged in thefingerprint recognition area, the second sensing electrode configuredfor sensing a touch and recognizing a fingerprint; and a pad portionincluding a plurality of pads which are electrically connected torespective sensing electrodes. The at least one second sensing electrodeincludes: a plurality of sub electrodes extending in a directioninclined with respect to an edge portion of the active area; and aplurality of fingerprint recognition lines connecting the sub electrodesto the pad portion, and the fingerprint recognition lines arranged in asame fingerprint recognition area extend in a same direction.

The first sensing electrodes may be arranged in the active area andoutside the fingerprint recognition area. The plurality of subelectrodes may be a plurality of first sub electrodes. The at least onesensing electrode may include a plurality of second sub electrodesarranged on an insulating film covering the first sub electrodes, andextending in a direction intersecting the first sub electrodes; and thefingerprint recognition lines connecting the first sub electrodes andthe second sub electrodes to the pad portion.

The fingerprint recognition lines may include first fingerprintrecognition lines connecting the first sub electrodes to the padportion; and second fingerprint recognition lines connecting the secondsub electrodes to the pad portion.

The active area may include a first fingerprint recognition area and asecond fingerprint recognition area that are adjacent to each other.

The touch sensing electrodes may include two second sensing electrodeswhich are arranged in the first fingerprint recognition area and in thesecond fingerprint recognition area, respectively. The first fingerprintrecognition lines and the second fingerprint recognition lines of thefirst fingerprint recognition area may extend in a first direction, andthe first fingerprint recognition lines and the second fingerprintrecognition lines of the second fingerprint recognition area may extendin a second direction intersecting the first direction.

The active area may include a first fingerprint recognition area, asecond fingerprint recognition area and a third fingerprint recognitionarea, and the second fingerprint recognition area and the thirdfingerprint recognition area may be arranged at either side of the firstfingerprint recognition area. The first sub electrodes of the firstfingerprint recognition area may extend to one of the second fingerprintrecognition area and the third fingerprint recognition area, and may beelectrically connected to the second sub electrodes of one of the secondfingerprint recognition area and the third fingerprint recognition area.The second sub electrodes of the first fingerprint recognition area mayextend to the other one of the second fingerprint recognition area andthe third fingerprint recognition area, and may be electricallyconnected to the first sub electrodes of the other one of the secondfingerprint recognition area and the third fingerprint recognition area.

The first sensing electrodes may include a conductive mesh having aplurality of conductive fine lines intersecting each other. A wiringdensity of the sub electrodes may be greater than a wiring density ofthe conductive fine lines.

The first sensing electrodes may include a plurality of X electrodes anda plurality of Y electrodes extending in respective directionsintersecting each other. The at least one second sensing electrode mayinclude the plurality of sub electrodes arranged only in the fingerprintrecognition area, and the sub electrodes may extend in a directionparallel to at least one of the X electrodes and the Y electrodes.

A width of the X electrodes and the Y electrodes in the fingerprintrecognition area may be smaller than a width of the X electrodes and theY electrodes in an area other than the fingerprint recognition area.

The fingerprint recognition area may be arranged on or at an edgeportion of the active area.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a display device including a first substrate including aplurality of pixel areas; display elements arranged in the pixel areason the first substrate; a second substrate facing the first substrate;and a touch screen arranged on one surface of the second substrate.

The aforementioned touch screen may recognize a user's fingerprint atthe same time as a sensing of the user's touch input. Further, since thefingerprint may be recognized in an active area of the touch screen, anarea of the active area on the touch screen may not be reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings; however, they may be embodied indifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the example embodiments to those skilled in the art.

In the drawing figures, dimensions may be exaggerated for clarity ofillustration. The various figures thus may not be to scale. It will beunderstood that when an element is referred to as being “between” twoelements, it can be the only element between the two elements, or one ormore intervening elements may also be present. Like reference numeralsrefer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view provided to explain a display deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a plan view provided to explain a first substrate of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view provided to explain a touch screen of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4 to 7 are plan views provided to explain an active area of atouch screen;

FIG. 8 is a plan view provided to explain a touch sensing electrode ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of area EA1 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on line I-I′ of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken on line II-II′ of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a plan view provided to explain an active area of a touchscreen applied to a display device according to another embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of area EA2 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a plan view provided to explain an active area of a touchscreen applied to a display device according to yet another embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view provided to explain a fingerprintrecognition area of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a plan view provided to explain an active area of a touchscreen applied to a display device according to yet another embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of fingerprint recognition area FS of FIG.16;

FIG. 18 is a plan view provided to explain an active area of a touchscreen applied to a display device according to yet another embodimentof the present disclosure; and

FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of fingerprint recognition area FS of FIG.18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will beexplained in detail with reference to the drawings attached. Allnumerical values are approximate, and may vary. All examples of specificmaterials and compositions are to be taken as nonlimiting and exemplaryonly. Other suitable materials and compositions may be used instead.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view provided to explain a display deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 2 is a planview provided to explain a first substrate of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a planview provided to explain a touch screen of FIG. 1, and FIGS. 4 to 7 areplan views provided to explain an active area of a touch screen.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, the display device may include a firstsubstrate 110, display elements (not illustrated) arranged on the firstsubstrate 110, a second substrate 120 facing the first substrate 110,and a touch screen TSP arranged on one surface of the second substrate120.

The first substrate 110 may include a display area DA and a non-displayarea NDA. The display area DA may include a plurality of pixel areas.The non-display area NDA may be arranged to be adjacent to the displayarea DA. For example, the non-display area NDA may surround orsubstantially surround the display area DA.

Further, the first substrate 110 may include a plurality of gate lines(not illustrated), a plurality of data lines (not illustrated) thatintersect the gate lines, and a plurality of thin film transistors (notillustrated) accessing or connected to the gate lines and the datalines. Each display element may access or be connected to one of thethin film transistors.

The display elements may be arranged on the pixel areas on the firstsubstrate 110. The display elements may each be any one of a liquidcrystal display (LCD) device, an electrophoretic display (EPD) device,an electrowetting display (EWD) device, and an organic light emittingdisplay (OLED) device. Explanation hereinafter will be based on anassumption that the display elements are organic light emitting displaydevices, for convenience sake.

The display elements may include a first electrode accessing the thinfilm transistor, a light emitting layer arranged on the first electrode,and a second electrode arranged on the light emitting layer. The lightemitting layer may include a light generating layer configured togenerate light by recombination of holes and electrons being injectedthrough the first electrode and the second electrode.

The second substrate 120 may be cohered with or affixed to the firstsubstrate 110, thereby isolating the display elements from the externalenvironment.

The touch screen (TSP) may be arranged on one surface of the secondsubstrate 120, for example on an outer surface of the second substrate120.

The touch screen (TSP) may include an active area (SA) and a non-activearea (NSA). The active area (SA) may correspond to the display area (DA)of the first substrate 110. The non-active area NSA may be arranged tobe adjacent to the active area SA. Further, the non-active area NSA maycorrespond to the non-display area NDA of the first substrate 110.

The active area SA may include at least one fingerprint recognition areaFS. The fingerprint recognition area FS may be arranged at an edgeportion of the active area SA.

For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 7, the fingerprint recognitionarea FS may be arranged along a front edge portion, a rear edge portion,a left edge portion, and/or a right edge portion of the active area SA.Further, the fingerprint recognition area FS may be arranged in centerportion of the edge portions the active area SA. Explanation hereinafterwill be based on an assumption that the fingerprint recognition area FSis arranged on the rear edge portion of the active area SA, forconvenience sake.

Touch sensing electrodes TSE may be arranged in the active area SA. Thetouch sensing electrodes TSE may be connected to a pad portion PDA bysensing lines SL.

The touch sensing electrodes TSE arranged in that portion of the activearea SA excluding the fingerprint recognition area FS may sense a user'stouch input. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the touch sensing electrodes TSEmay be mutual capacitance touch screen type sensors.

Also, the touch sensing electrodes TSE arranged in the fingerprintrecognition area FS may recognize a user's fingerprint while at the sametime also sensing the user's touch.

Hereinafter, the display device including the touch screen illustratedin FIGS. 1 to 7 will be explained in further detail with reference toFIGS. 8 to 11.

FIG. 8 is a plan view provided to explain the touch sensing electrode ofFIG. 3, FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of area EA1 of FIG. 3, FIG. 10 is across-sectional view taken on line I-I′ of FIG. 8, and FIG. 11 is across-sectional view taken on line II-II′ of FIG. 9.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 11, the display device may include the firstsubstrate 110, the display elements DD arranged on the first substrate110, the second substrate 120 facing the first substrate 110, and thetouch screen TSP arranged on one surface of the second substrate 120.

The first substrate 110 may include the display area DA and thenon-display area NDA. The display area DA may include a plurality ofpixel areas. The non-display area NA may be arranged to be adjacent tothe display area DA. Further, the first substrate 110 may include a basesubstrate SUB, and at least one thin film transistor TFT arranged oneach pixel area of the base substrate SUB.

The base substrate SUB may include a transparent insulating material totransmit light. Further, the base substrate SUB may be a rigid substrateor a flexible substrate. Examples of the rigid substrate include a glasssubstrate, a quartz substrate, a glass ceramic substrate and acrystalline glass substrate. Examples of the flexible substrate includea film substrate and a plastic substrate containing a high molecularorganic material. For example, the flexible substrate may contain one ofpolyethersulfone (PES), polyacrylate, polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylenenaphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyphenylenesulfide (PPS), polyarylate (PAR), polyimide (PI), polycarbonate (PC),triacetate cellulose (TAC), and cellulose acetate propionate (CAP).Further, the flexible substrate may contain fiber glass reinforcedplastic (FRP).

It may be desirable for the material of the base substrate SUB to be onethat has high thermal resistance, i.e. resistance against highprocessing temperatures that occur when fabricating the display device.

A buffer layer BUL may be arranged between the base substrate SUB andthe thin film transistor TFT. The buffer layer BUL may contain at leastone of silicon oxide and silicon nitride. For example, the buffer layerBUL may include a first insulating film that contains silicon oxide, anda second insulating film that is arranged on the first insulating filmand that contains silicon nitride. The buffer layer BUL may preventimpurities from diffusing from the base substrate SUB into the thin filmtransistor TFT. Further, the buffer layer BUL may flatten or planarizethe upper surface of the base substrate SUB.

The thin film transistor TFT may be connected to a gate line and a dataline. The thin film transistor TFT may include a semiconductor layerSCL, a gate electrode GE, a source electrode SE and a drain electrodeDE.

The semiconductor layer SCL may be arranged on the buffer layer BUL. Thesemiconductor layer SCL may contain one of amorphous Si, polycrystalline Si, an oxide semiconductor and an organic semiconductor. Inthe semiconductor layer SCL, an area accessing the source electrode SEand the drain electrode DE may respectively be a source area and drainarea where impurities are doped or injected. An area between the sourcearea and the drain area may be a channel area.

Meanwhile, although not illustrated in the drawings, in the case wherethe semiconductor layer SCL contains an oxide semiconductor, a lightblocking film for blocking the light entering the semiconductor layerSCL may be arranged on an upper portion or a lower portion of thesemiconductor layer SCL.

A gate insulating film GI may be arranged on the semiconductor layerSCL. The gate insulating film GI may cover the semiconductor layer SCL,and insulate the semiconductor layer SCL from the gate electrode GE. Thegate insulating film GI may contain at least one of silicon oxide andsilicon nitride.

The gate electrode GE may be arranged on the gate insulating film GI.The gate electrode GE may access, or be in electrical communicationwith, the gate line. The gate electrode GE may contain a low resistanceconductive material, and may be superimposed on, i.e. positioned over,the semiconductor layer SCL.

An interlayer insulating film ILD may be arranged on the gate electrodeGE. The interlayer insulating film ILD may contain the same material asthe gate insulating film GI. The interlayer insulating film ILD mayinsulate the source electrode SE and the drain electrode DE, and thegate electrode GE.

Contact holes that penetrate the gate insulating film GI and theinterlayer insulating film ILD may expose the source area and the drainarea of the semiconductor layer SCL.

The source electrode SE and the drain electrode DE may be arranged onthe interlayer insulating film ILD such that they are spaced apart fromeach other. The source electrode SE and the drain electrode DE may eachcontain a low resistance conductive material. One end of the sourceelectrode SE may access the data line. Another end of the sourceelectrode SE may access the source area through one of the contactholes. One end of the drain electrode DE may access the drain areathrough another one of the contact holes. Another end of the drainelectrode DE may access one of the display elements DD.

Meanwhile, although the present embodiment was explained based on theassumption that the thin film transistor TFT has a top gate structure,there is no limitation thereto. For example, the thin film transistorTFT may instead have a bottom gate structure.

A protection film PSV may be arranged on the base substrate SUB wherethe thin film transistor TFT is arranged. That is, the protection filmPSV may cover the thin film transistor TFT. A portion of the protectionfilm PSV may be removed to expose the drain electrode DE.

The protection film PSV may include at least one film. For example, theprotection film PSV may include an inorganic protection film and anorganic protection film arranged on the inorganic protection film. Theinorganic protection film may contain at least one of silicon oxide andsilicon nitride. The organic protection film may contain one of acryl,polyimide (PI), polyamide (PA) and benzocyclobutene (BCB). Further, theorganic protection film may be a flattening film having transparency andliquidity to be able to flatten or planarize underlying surfaces.

The display elements DD may be arranged on the protection film PSV. Thedisplay elements DD may include a first electrode AE accessing the drainelectrode DE, a light emitting layer EL arranged on the first electrodeAE, and a second electrode CE arranged on the light emitting layer EL.

One of the first electrode AE and the second electrode CE may be ananode electrode, and the other one may be a cathode electrode. Forexample, the first electrode AE may be an anode electrode, while thesecond electrode CE is a cathode electrode.

Further, at least one of the first electrode AE and the second electrodeCE may be a transmission type electrode. For example, in the case wherethe display element DD is a rear surface light emitting type organiclight emitting element, the first electrode AE may be a transmissiontype electrode, and the second electrode CE may be a reflection typeelectrode. In the case where the display element DD is a front surfacelight emitting type organic light emitting element, the first electrodemay be a reflection type electrode, and the second electrode may be atransmission type electrode. In the case where the display element DD isa both surface light emitting type organic light emitting element, boththe first electrode AE and the second electrode CE may be transmissiontype electrodes. In the present embodiment, explanation is based on anassumption that the display elements DD are front surface light emittingtype organic light emitting elements and the first electrode AE is ananode electrode.

In each pixel area, the first electrode AE may be arranged on theprotection film PSV. The first electrode AE may include a reflectingfilm (not illustrated) capable of reflecting light, and a transparentconductive film (not illustrated) arranged on an upper portion or alower portion of the reflecting film. At least one of the transparentconductive film and the reflecting film may access the drain electrodeDE.

The reflecting film may contain a material capable of reflecting light.For example, the reflecting film may contain at least one of aluminum(Ai), silver (Ag), chrome (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), platinum (Pt), nickel(Ni), and an alloy thereof.

The transparent conductive film may contain a transparent conductiveoxide. For example, the transparent conductive film may contain atransparent conductive oxide that is at least one of indium tin oxide(ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), aluminum zinc oxide (AZO), gallium dopedzinc oxide (GZO), zinc tin oxide (ZTO), gallium tin oxide (GTO), andfluorine doped tin oxide (FTO).

A pixel defining film PDL may be arranged on the first electrode AE. Thepixel defining film PDL may be arranged between the pixel areas, and mayexpose the first electrode AE. Further, the pixel defining film PDL maybe superimposed on an edge portion of the first electrode AE. Therefore,the pixel defining film PDL may expose most of the surface of the firstelectrode AE which faces the second substrate 120.

The pixel defining film PDL may contain an organic insulating material.For example, the pixel defining film PDL may contain at least one ofpolystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyacrylonitrile (PAN),polyamide (PA), polyimide (PI), polyarylether (PAE), heterocyclicpolymer, parylene, epoxy, benzocyclobutene (BCB), siloxane based resinand silane based resin.

The light emitting layer EL may be arranged on the exposed surface ofthe first electrode AE. The light emitting layer EL may have amultiple-layered thin film structure that includes at least one lightgeneration layer LGL. For example, the light emitting layer EL mayinclude a hole injection layer HIL for injecting holes, a hole transportlayer HTL that has desirable hole transportability and that restrainsthe movement of electrons that weren't able to be combined on the lightgeneration layer so as to increase the opportunity of re-combinationbetween the holes and electrons, a light generation layer that emitslight by the re-combination of the injected electrons and holes, a holeblocking layer HBL for restraining the movement of the holes thatweren't able to be combined on the light generation layer, an electrontransport layer ETL for smoothly transporting the electrons to the lightgeneration layer, and an electron injection layer EIL for injecting theelectrons.

Color of the light generated in the light generation layer may be one ofred, green, blue and white, but there is no limitation thereto. Forexample, the color of the light generated in the light generation layerof the light emitting layer EL may be one of magenta, cyan, and yellow.

The hole injection layer, the hole transport layer, the hole blockinglayer, the electron transport layer and the electron injection layer maybe a common film that extends across multiple pixel areas.

The second electrode CE may be arranged on the light emitting layer EL.

The second electrode CE may be a semi-transmission reflecting film. Forexample, the second electrode CE may be a thin-type metal layer barelyhaving a thickness enough to transmit light. The second electrode CE maytransmit a portion of the light generated in the light generation layer,and reflect the rest of the light generated in the light generationlayer.

The second electrode CE may contain a material having a lower workfunction as compared to the transparent conductive film. For example,the second electrode CE may contain at least one of molybdenum (Mo),tungsten (W), silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt),palladium (Pd), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir),chrome (Cr), lithium (Li), calcium (Ca), and an alloy thereof.

A portion of the light emitted from the light emitting layer EL may notpenetrate the second electrode CE, and the light reflected by the secondelectrode CE may be reflected again by the reflecting film. That is, thelight emitted from the light emitting layer EL may resonate between thereflecting film and the second electrode CE. By such resonance, thelight extraction efficiency of the display elements DD may be improved.

The distance between the reflecting film and the second electrode CE maydiffer depending on the color of the light generated in the lightgenerating layer. That is, the distance between the reflecting film andthe second electrode CE may be adjusted to be suitable to the resonancedistance depending on the color of the light generated in the lightgenerating layer.

An encapsulating layer ECL may be arranged on the second electrode CE.The encapsulating layer ECL may prevent oxygen and moisture frominfiltrating into the display elements DD. The encapsulating layer ECLmay include a plurality of inorganic films (not illustrated) and aplurality of organic films (not illustrated). For example, theencapsulating layer ECL may include a plurality of unit encapsulatinglayers that include the inorganic film and the organic film arranged onthe inorganic film. Further, the encapsulating layer ECL may contain twoinorganic films, e.g. an upper and lower inorganic film. The inorganicfilm may contain at least one of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, siliconoxynitride, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, and tinoxide.

The second substrate 120 may isolate the display elements DD from theexternal environment. Further, the second electrode 120 may contain thesame material as the base substrate SUB. The second electrode 120 may becoupled to the first substrate 110 by a sealant (not illustrated).

The touch screen TSP may be arranged on one surface of the secondsubstrate 120, for example on an outer surface of the second substrate120. The touch screen TSP may include an active area SA, and anon-active area NSA arranged to be adjacent to the active area SA.

The active area SA may correspond to the display area DA of the firstsubstrate 110. The non-active area NSA may correspond to the non-displayarea NDA of the first substrate 110. Further, the active area SA mayinclude a fingerprint recognition area FS, and the fingerprintrecognition area FS may be arranged at the edge portion of the activearea SA.

Touch sensing electrodes TSE may be arranged in the active area SA. Thetouch sensing electrodes TSE may include first sensing electrodes TSE1arranged in the active area SA outside the fingerprint recognition areaFS, and at least one second sensing electrode TSE2 arranged in thefingerprint recognition area FS.

The first sensing electrodes TSE1 may include a transparent conductiveoxide. Further, the first sensing electrodes TSE1 may include aconductive mesh. More specifically, the first sensing electrodes TSE1may include a plurality of conductive fine lines CFL that intersect eachother. The conductive fine lines CFL may include a plurality of firstconductive fine lines CFL1 extending in one direction, and a pluralityof second conductive fine lines CFL2 extending in a directionintersecting the first conductive fine lines CFL1.

The first conductive fine lines CFL1 and the second conductive finelines CFL2 may be arranged between the pixel areas. The first conductivefine lines CFL1 and the second conductive fine lines CFL2 may bearranged on a same layer, for example, on the second substrate 120.

The second sensing electrode TSE2 may not only sense a user's touch butalso recognize the user's fingerprint. The second sensing electrode TSE2may include a plurality of sub electrodes SUBE1, SUBE2. For example, thesecond sensing electrode TSE2 may include a plurality of first subelectrodes SUBE1 extending in a direction inclined to an edge portion ofthe active area, and a plurality of second sub electrodes SUBE2extending in a direction intersecting the first sub electrodes SUBE1.

The first sub electrodes SUBE1 and the second sub electrodes SUBE2 maybe arranged on different layers from each other. For example, the firstsub electrodes SUBE1 may be arranged on the same layer as the conductivefine lines CFL. Further, the insulating film IL may be arranged to coverthe first sub electrodes SUBE1. The second sub electrodes SUBE2 may thenbe arranged on the insulating film IL.

Further, a wiring density of the first sub electrodes SUBE1 and thesecond sub electrodes SUBE2 may be greater than a wiring density of thefirst conductive fine lines CFL1 and the second conductive fine linesCFL2. For example, the wiring density of the first sub electrodes SUBE1and the second sub electrodes SUBE2 may be twice or more than that ofthe wiring density of the first conductive fine lines CFL1 and thesecond conductive fine lines CFL2.

At points where the first sub electrodes SUBE1 and the second subelectrodes SUBE2 intersect each other, the first sub electrodes SUBE1and the second sub electrodes SUBE2 may form capacitors. Therefore, inthe fingerprint recognition area FS, by measuring changes in thecapacitance of the capacitors, the first sub electrodes SUBE1 and thesecond sub electrodes SUBE2 may recognize a fingerprint pattern of theuser's finger while at the same time also sensing the user's touch.

The first sub electrodes SUBE1 and the second sub electrodes SUBE2 maybe connected to the pad portion PDA by the fingerprint recognition linesFSL. For example, the first sub electrodes SUBE1 may be connected to afirst group of fingerprint recognition lines, and the second subelectrodes SUBE2 may be connected to a second group of fingerprintrecognition lines. Here, the first fingerprint recognition lines and thesecond fingerprint recognition lines may extend in the same direction.That is, the first fingerprint recognition lines and the secondfingerprint recognition lines may be arranged only along one side of theactive area SA. Therefore, there is little concern that the fingerprintrecognition lines FSL will contact the sensing lines SL connected to thetouch sensing electrodes TSE.

Hereinafter, a display device according to other embodiments of thepresent disclosure will be explained with reference to FIGS. 12 to 19.Referring to FIGS. 12 to 19, same reference numerals will be used forelements that are the same as those illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 11, and toavoid redundancy only brief explanation will be made thereof. Inparticular, referring to FIGS. 12 to 19, explanation will be made withthe main focus on the differences from FIGS. 1 to 11, to preventrepetition of explanation.

FIG. 12 is a plan view provided to explain an active area of a touchscreen applied to a display device according to another embodiment ofthe present disclosure, and FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of area EA2 ofFIG. 12.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 8, and 10 to 13, the active area SA of thetouch screen TSP may include a fingerprint recognition area FS, and thefingerprint recognition area FS may be arranged at the edge portion ofthe active area SA. For example, the fingerprint recognition area FS maybe arranged on one of four corners of the active area SA.

Touch sensing electrodes TSE may be arranged in the active area SA. Thetouch sensing electrodes TSE may include first sensing electrodes TSE1arranged in the active area SA outside the fingerprint recognition areaFS, and second sensing electrodes TSE2 arranged in the fingerprintrecognition area FS.

The first sensing electrodes TSE1 may include a transparent conductiveoxide or a conductive mesh. For example, the first sensing electrodesTSE1 may include a conductive mesh that includes a plurality ofconductive fine lines CFL intersecting each other.

The fingerprint recognition area FS may include a plurality of subfingerprint recognition areas FS1, FS2. For example, the fingerprintrecognition area FS may include a first sub fingerprint recognition areaFS1 and a second sub fingerprint recognition area FS2 that are adjacentto each other. The second sensing electrodes TSE2 may each be arrangedin the first sub fingerprint recognition area FS1 and the second subfingerprint recognition area FS2. The second sensing electrode TSE2arranged in the first sub fingerprint recognition area FS1 and thesecond sensing electrode TSE2 arranged in the second sub fingerprintrecognition area FS2 may be electrically insulated from each other, asshown in FIG. 13.

The second sensing electrodes TSE2 may include a plurality of subelectrodes SUBE1, SUBE2. For example, the second sensing electrodes TSE2may include a plurality of first sub electrodes SUBE1 extending in adirection inclined with respect to the edge portion of the active areaSA, and a plurality of second sub electrodes SUBE2 extending in adirection intersecting the first sub electrodes SUBE1. An insulatingfilm may be arranged between the first sub electrodes SUBE1 and thesecond sub electrodes SUBE2.

A wiring density of the first sub electrodes SUBE1 and the second subelectrodes SUBE2 may be greater than a wiring density of the conductivefine lines CFL. For example, the wiring density of the first subelectrodes SUBE1 and the second sub electrodes SUBE2 may be twice ormore than that of the wiring density of the conductive fine lines CFL.

The first sub electrodes SUBE1 and the second sub electrodes SUBE2 mayform a plurality of capacitors at points intersecting each other.Therefore, in the fingerprint recognition area FS, by measuring changesin the capacitance of the capacitors, the first sub electrodes SUBE1 andthe second sub electrodes SUBE2 may recognize a pattern of the user'sfingerprint while at the same time also sensing the user's touch.

The first sub electrodes SUBE1 and the second sub electrodes SUBE2 maybe connected to the pad portion PDA by the fingerprint recognition linesFSL. For example, the first sub electrodes SUBE1 may be connected tofirst fingerprint recognition lines, and the second sub electrodes SUBE2may be connected to second fingerprint recognition lines.

The first fingerprint recognition lines and the second fingerprintrecognition lines of the first fingerprint recognition area FS1 may allextend in the same direction. For example, the first fingerprintrecognition lines and the second fingerprint recognition lines of thefirst fingerprint recognition area FS1 may extend in a rear sidedirection of the active area SA.

Further, the first fingerprint recognition lines and the secondfingerprint recognition lines of the second fingerprint recognition areaFS2 may extend in a direction intersecting the direction in which thefirst fingerprint recognition lines and the second fingerprintrecognition lines of the first fingerprint recognition area FS1 extend.For example, the first fingerprint recognition lines and the secondfingerprint recognition lines of the second fingerprint recognition areaFS2 may extend in a right side direction of the active area SA.

FIG. 14 is a plan view provided to explain the active area of the touchscreen TSP applied to a display device according to yet anotherembodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 15 is an enlarged viewprovided to explain the fingerprint recognition area of FIG. 14.

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 8, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, FIG. 14 and FIG.15, the active area SA of the touch screen TSP may include thefingerprint recognition area FS, and the fingerprint recognition area FSmay be arranged at the edge portion of the active area SA.

The touch sensing electrodes TSE may be arranged in the active area SA.The touch sensing electrodes TSE may include the first sensingelectrodes TSE1 arranged in the active area SA outside the fingerprintrecognition area FS, and the second sensing electrodes TSE2 arranged inthe fingerprint recognition area FS.

The first sensing electrodes TSE1 may include a transparent conductiveoxide or a conductive mesh. For example, the first sensing electrodesTSE1 may include a conductive mesh including a plurality of conductivefine lines CFL intersecting each other.

The fingerprint recognition area FS may include a plurality of subfingerprint recognition areas FS1, FS2, FS3. For example, thefingerprint recognition area FS may include a first sub fingerprintrecognition area FS1, a second sub fingerprint recognition area FS2, anda third sub fingerprint recognition area FS3. Here, the second subfingerprint recognition area FS2 and the third sub fingerprintrecognition area FS3 may be arranged at both opposing sides of the firstsub fingerprint recognition area FS1.

The second sensing electrodes TSE2 may include a plurality of subelectrodes SUBE1, SUBE2. For example, the second sensing electrodes TSE2may include a plurality of first sub electrodes SUBE1 extending in onedirection, and a plurality of second sub electrodes SUBE2 extending in adirection intersecting the first sub electrodes SUBE1. The insulatingfilm IL may be arranged between the first sub electrodes SUBE1 and thesecond sub electrodes SUBE2.

The first sub electrodes SUBE1 and the second sub electrodes SUBE2arranged in the first sub fingerprint recognition area FS1 may extend tothe second sub fingerprint recognition area FS2 and the third subfingerprint recognition area FS3. For example, the first sub electrodesSUBE2 arranged in the first sub fingerprint recognition area FS1 mayextend to the third sub fingerprint recognition area FS3, and the secondsub electrodes SUBE2 arranged in the first sub fingerprint recognitionarea FS1 may extend to the second sub fingerprint recognition area FS2.

A portion of the first sub electrodes SUBE1 of the second subfingerprint recognition area FS2 may be electrically connected to aportion of the second sub electrodes SUBE2 through a contact hole CNT.Further, a portion of the second sub electrodes SUBE2 of the third subfingerprint recognition area FS3 may be electrically connected to aportion of the first sub electrodes SUBE1 through a contact hole CNT.

Therefore, the number of the first fingerprint recognition lines beingconnected to the first sub electrodes SUBE1 of the second subfingerprint recognition area FS2 may decrease. Further, the number ofthe second fingerprint recognition lines being connected to the secondsub electrodes SUBE2 of the third sub fingerprint recognition area FS3may also decrease.

Further, the wiring density of the first sub electrodes SUBE1 and thesecond sub electrodes SUBE2 may be greater than the wiring density ofthe conductive fine lines CFL. For example, the wiring density of thefirst sub electrodes SUBE1 and the second sub electrodes SUBE2 may betwice or more than that of the wiring density of the conductive finelines CFL.

At the points where the first sub electrodes SUBE1 and the second subelectrodes SUBE2 intersect each other, the first sub electrodes SUBE1and the second sub electrodes SUBE2 may form capacitors. Therefore, inthe fingerprint recognition area FS, by measuring changes of thecapacitance of the capacitors, the first sub electrodes SUBE1 and thesecond sub electrodes SUBE2 may recognize the fingerprint pattern of theuser's finger while at the same time also sensing the user's touch.

FIG. 16 is a plan view provided to explain the active area of the touchscreen applied to a display device according to yet another embodimentof the present disclosure, and FIG. 17 is an enlarged view offingerprint recognition area FS of FIG. 16.

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 8, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, FIG. 16 and FIG.17, the active area SA of the touch screen TSP may include thefingerprint recognition area FS, and the fingerprint recognition area FSmay be arranged at the edge portion of the active area SA.

The touch sensing electrodes TSE may be arranged in the active area SA.The touch sensing electrodes TSE may include a plurality of firstsensing electrodes TSE1 and a second sensing electrode TSE2 arrangedonly in the fingerprint recognition area FS.

The first sensing electrodes TSE1 may include a plurality of Xelectrodes TSEX extending in an X axis direction and a plurality of Yelectrodes TSEY extending in a Y axis direction. Further, the Xelectrodes TSEX and the Y electrodes TSEY may include a transparentconductive oxide or a conductive mesh.

A portion of the X electrodes TSEX and the Y electrodes TSEY may extendto the fingerprint recognition area FS. A width of the X electrodes TSEXand the Y electrodes TSEY in the fingerprint recognition area FS may besmaller than a width of the X electrodes TSEX and the Y electrodes TSEYin another area.

The second sensing electrode TSE2 may include a plurality of subelectrodes extending in a direction parallel to one of the X electrodesTSEX and the Y electrodes TSEY. For example, the sub electrodes mayextend in a direction parallel to the X electrodes TSEX, as shown inFIG. 17.

The sub electrodes may be arranged between adjacent X electrodes TSEX.The wiring density of the sub electrodes may be greater than the wiringdensity of the X electrodes TSEX and the Y electrodes TSEY. For example,the wiring density of the sub electrodes may be twice or more that ofthe wiring density of the X electrodes TSEX and the Y electrodes TSEY.

The sub electrodes may each be connected to the pad portion PDA by oneof the fingerprint recognition lines FSL. The sub electrodes and thefingerprint recognition lines FSL may be arranged on different layersfrom each other. For example, the sub electrodes may be arranged on thesame layer as the X electrodes TSEX, and the fingerprint recognitionlines FSL may be arranged on the same layer as the Y electrodes TSEY.Further, the sub electrodes and the fingerprint recognition lines FSLmay be respectively and electrically connected to each other throughcontact holes CNT.

The fingerprint recognition lines FSL may all extend in the samedirection. For example, the fingerprint recognition lines may extend ina direction parallel to the Y electrodes TSEY. Therefore, the Xelectrodes TSEX, the Y electrodes TSEY, the sub electrodes and thefingerprint recognition lines FSL may intersect each other. At thepoints where the sub electrodes and the fingerprint recognition linesFSL intersect each other, the sub electrodes and the fingerprintrecognition lines FSL may form capacitors. Therefore, in the fingerprintrecognition area FS, by measuring changes in the capacitance of thecapacitors, the first sensing electrodes TSE1, the sub electrodes andthe fingerprint recognition lines FSL may recognize a fingerprintpattern of the user's finger at the same time of sensing the user'stouch.

FIG. 18 is a plan view provided to explain the active area of the touchscreen applied to a display device according to yet another embodimentof the present disclosure, and FIG. 19 is an enlarged view offingerprint recognition area FS of FIG. 18.

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 8, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, FIG. 18 and FIG.19, the active area SA of the touch screen TSP may include a fingerprintrecognition area FS, and the fingerprint recognition area FS may bearranged at the edge portion of the active area SA.

Touch sensing electrodes TSE may be arranged in the active area SA. Thetouch sensing electrodes TSE may include a plurality of first sensingelectrodes TSE1 and second sensing electrodes TSE2 arranged only in thefingerprint recognition area FS.

The first sensing electrodes TSE1 may include a plurality of Xelectrodes TSEX extending in an X axis direction, and a plurality of Yelectrodes TSEY extending in a Y axis direction. Further, the Xelectrodes TSEX and the Y electrodes TSEY may include a plurality of subconductive lines CL.

A portion of the X electrodes TSEX and the Y electrodes TSEY may extendto the fingerprint recognition area FS.

The second sensing electrodes TSE2 may include sub electrodes thatextend in a direction parallel to one of the X electrodes TSEX and the Yelectrodes TSEY. For example, the sub electrodes may extend in adirection parallel to the X electrodes TSEX.

The sub electrodes may be arranged between adjacent sub conductive linesCL of the X electrodes TSEX. The wiring density of the sub electrodesmay be greater than the wiring density of the X electrodes TSEX and theY electrodes TSEY. For example, the wiring density of the sub electrodesmay be twice or more than that of the wiring density of the X electrodesTSEX and the Y electrodes TSEY. That is, between the mutually adjacentsub conductive lines CL of the X electrodes TSEX, two or more of the subelectrodes may be arranged.

The sub electrodes may be connected to each pad portion PDA by thefingerprint recognition lines FSL. The sub electrodes and thefingerprint recognition lines FSL may be arranged on different layersfrom each other. For example, the sub electrodes may be arranged on thesame layer as the X electrodes TSEX, and the fingerprint recognitionlines FSL may be arranged on the same layer as the Y electrodes TSEY.Furthermore, the sub electrodes and the fingerprint recognition linesFSL may be respectively and electrically connected to each other throughthe contact holes CNT.

The fingerprint recognition lines FSL may all extend in the samedirection. For example, the fingerprint recognition lines may extend ina direction parallel to the Y electrodes TSEY. Therefore, the Xelectrodes TSEX and the Y electrodes TSEY may intersect each other, andthe sub electrodes and the fingerprint recognition lines FSL mayintersect each other. At points where the sub electrodes and thefingerprint recognition lines FSL intersect each other, the subelectrodes and the fingerprint recognition lines FSL may formcapacitors. Therefore, in the fingerprint recognition area FS, bymeasuring changes in the capacitance of the capacitors, the firstsensing electrodes TSE1, the sub electrodes and the fingerprintrecognition lines FSL may recognize a fingerprint pattern of a user'sfinger at the same time as sensing of the user's touch.

Example embodiments have been disclosed herein, and although specificterms are employed, they are used and are to be interpreted in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purpose of limitation. In someinstances, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art asof the filing of the present application, features, characteristics,and/or elements described in connection with a particular embodiment maybe used singly or in combination with features, characteristics, and/orelements described in connection with other embodiments unless otherwisespecifically indicated. Accordingly, it will be understood by those ofskill in the art that various changes in form and details may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure asset forth in the following claims. Various features of the abovedescribed and other embodiments can thus be mixed and matched in anymanner, to produce further embodiments consistent with the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A touch screen comprising: a substrate includingan active area and a non-active area arranged to be adjacent to theactive area, the active area including at least one fingerprintrecognition area; touch sensing electrodes including first sensingelectrodes arranged in the active area and at least one second sensingelectrode arranged in the fingerprint recognition area, the at least onesecond sensing electrode configured for sensing a touch and recognizinga fingerprint; and a pad portion including a plurality of pads which areelectrically connected to respective sensing electrodes, wherein the atleast one second sensing electrode comprises: a plurality of subelectrodes extending in a direction parallel to an edge portion of theactive area; and a plurality of fingerprint recognition lines connectingthe plurality of sub electrodes to the pad portion, wherein theplurality of fingerprint recognition lines arranged in a samefingerprint recognition area extend in a same direction, wherein thefirst sensing electrodes comprise a plurality of row (X) electrodes anda plurality of column (Y) electrodes that extend in respectivedirections intersecting each other, wherein the plurality of subelectrodes extend in a direction parallel to at least one of the Xelectrodes and the Y electrodes, wherein the plurality of fingerprintrecognition lines and the plurality of sub electrodes are disposed ondifferent layers from each other and connected to each other throughcontact holes in the fingerprint recognition area, and wherein theplurality of fingerprint recognition lines extend in a directionintersecting the plurality of sub electrodes.
 2. The touch screenaccording to claim 1, wherein a wiring density of the plurality of subelectrodes is greater than a wiring density of the X electrodes and awiring density of the Y electrodes.
 3. The touch screen according toclaim 1, wherein each of the X electrodes and the Y electrodes comprisesa plurality of conductive lines oriented parallel to each other, andwherein a wiring density of the plurality of sub electrodes is greaterthan a wiring density of the conductive lines.
 4. A display devicecomprising: a first substrate comprising a plurality of pixel areas;display elements arranged in the pixel areas on the first substrate; asecond substrate facing the first substrate and including an active areaand a non-active area arranged to be adjacent to the active area, theactive area including at least one fingerprint recognition area; and atouch screen arranged on one surface of the second substrate, whereinthe touch screen comprises: touch sensing electrodes including firstsensing electrodes arranged in the active area, and at least one secondsensing electrode arranged in the fingerprint recognition area, the atleast one second sensing electrode configured for sensing a touch andrecognizing a fingerprint; and a pad portion including a plurality ofpads which are electrically connected to respective sensing electrodes,wherein the at least one second sensing electrode comprises: a pluralityof sub electrodes extending in a direction parallel to an edge portionof the active area; and a plurality of fingerprint recognition linesconnecting the plurality of sub electrodes to the pad portion, whereinthe plurality of fingerprint recognition lines arranged in a samefingerprint recognition area extend in a same direction, wherein thefirst sensing electrodes comprise a plurality of row (X) electrodes anda plurality of column (Y) electrodes extending in respective directionsintersecting each other, wherein the plurality of sub electrodes extendin a direction parallel to at least one of the X electrodes and the Yelectrodes, wherein a wiring density of the plurality of sub electrodesis greater than a wiring density of the X electrodes and a wiringdensity of the Y electrodes, wherein the fingerprint recognition linesand the plurality of sub electrodes are disposed on different layersfrom each other and connected to each other through contact holes in thefingerprint recognition area, and wherein the plurality of fingerprintrecognition lines extend in a direction intersecting the plurality ofsub electrodes.
 5. A touch screen comprising: a substrate including anactive area and a non-active area arranged to be adjacent to the activearea, the active area including at least one fingerprint recognitionarea; touch sensing electrodes including first sensing electrodesarranged in the active area and at least one second sensing electrodearranged in the fingerprint recognition area, the at least one secondsensing electrode configured for sensing a touch and recognizing afingerprint; and a pad portion including a plurality of pads which iselectrically connected to respective sensing electrodes, wherein the atleast one second sensing electrode comprises: a plurality of subelectrodes extending in one direction; and a plurality of fingerprintrecognition lines connecting the plurality of sub electrodes to the padportion, wherein the plurality of fingerprint recognition lines arrangedin a same fingerprint recognition area extend in a same direction,wherein the first sensing electrodes comprise a plurality of row (X)electrodes and a plurality of column (Y) electrodes extending inrespective directions intersecting each other, wherein the plurality ofsub electrodes extend in a direction parallel to at least one of the Xelectrodes and the Y electrodes, wherein a wiring density of theplurality of sub electrodes is greater than a wiring density of the Xelectrodes and a wiring density of the Y electrodes, wherein theplurality of fingerprint recognition lines and the plurality of subelectrodes are disposed on different layers from each other andconnected to each other through contact holes in the fingerprintrecognition area, and wherein the plurality of fingerprint recognitionlines extend in a direction intersecting the plurality of subelectrodes.